If we compare something new (or obscure) to what we know, it won't fit our measure. Does that mean it can't exist?

History is full of the stories of denying the possibility of discovery, or re-discovery, of resisting change.

Let's compare kayaks with other means of travel over water.

Snowshoes were the only known method of traversing deep snow in north America up until the 1830s when Norwegian immigrants brought their skis to the midwest. Locals called them Norwegian Snowshoes.

So imagine a group of snowshoers are sent a pair of skis from Europe with a note saying these are faster than snowshoes. It's pretty easy to imagine north americans who only knew snowshoes, discounting the use and speed of skis.

Perspective is everything!

I had a lot of experience using snowshoes in northern Ontario in my early years.

My own first experience with wax-less cross country skis was not a happy one. No wax or the wrong wax and you stand in one spot as your legs move back and forth.

So if the pre-1800s snowshoe crew even cared to try the skis, they will use them like snowshoes and say they are no good at all, or not much better. And in short, steep, thickly wooded hills, bloody headed snowshoers will say, these things are just dangerous.

But those of us who have tried both and have learned how to ski say you are welcome to your snowshoes.

The combination of - the right tool, the skis - with open tree free paths - and the knowledge and skill to utilize these both, do create magical speeds compared to snowshoes.

I believe the difference between the Greenland kayak and the Aleut kayak is like this comparison between snow shoes and skis.

If we try to paddle a Aleut kayak the way we paddle a Greenland, or even a racing kayak, we will not have the results the Aleuts had in their local conditions.

Can someone develop the skills to paddle a baidarka like the Aleuts? They would first have reason to believe there was something special about the design AND they must have the ocean paddling skills to test the boat for a number of years.

To quote a friend, " Greg Barton himself relates how, when he was hot off his Olympic win, he went to the Molokai Challenge thinking he was the fastest paddler on earth and should be able to smoke everyone. He got demolished. His skills were not appropriate to win an open water race requiring wave riding and rough water handling. He is still a faster flat water paddler than Oscar Chalupski, but Oscar beats him on open water. Who is "stronger" isn't really the right question as the appropriate skill set is a significant variable."

To quote a friend, "So, tales of Aleut kayaks being paddled very fast are likely fairly accurate. We know this because kayakers who aren't as strong, in kayaks that aren't as fast, can do it today."

I've paddled Greenland, Euro and Aleut designs for many years. The Aleut kayak outshines the others in wind and wave, even when paddling it like a Greenland kayak.

I also think the Aleut paddle was used in ways we don't understand and contributed greatly to the Aleut's mastery of the sea. As a lifetime maker of objects I found handling actual Aleut paddles at the Smithsonian a revelation into a complex tool. For details on these ideas please scroll down to "My New Aleut Paddle" on my paddles web page @
http://www.laughingloon.com/pad.t.html#anchor3padsplan

Perhaps you may think these ideas are exaggerations, or not possible. The choice is yours.

I have seen paddlers, athletes, dancers, artists, musicians and engineers create magic.

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge.
Daniel J. Boorstin

All the best,
Rob